Plastic ban: Delhi govt checks compliance

Environment department of Delhi Government has launched a drive to check compliance of the blanket ban on use of plastic bags across the city.

Under the drive, 25 teams from the department carried out checks in all shopping malls and five-star hotels in city yesterday.

Officials said the teams found violations of the ban in over hundred shops and action would be taken against the violators.

The government had last month imposed the ban on manufacture, sale, storage and use of plastic bags as per provision of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, under which violators could face imprisonment up to five years and fine of up to Rs 1 lakh or both.

Use of plastic cover or pouch to pack magazines, invitation cards and greeting cards will also be prohibited.

Officials said initially government will only focus on plastic carry bags and will not target packaged food and materials.

Authorities like civic bodies, NDMC, Environment Department and Delhi Pollution Control Committee were tasked to implement the ban.

Plastic carry bags, as specified under the Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998, are not covered under the ban.

The Delhi government had last month ordered traders involved in production of plastic bags to dismantle their manufacturing facilities by the deadline.

The manufacturers had gone to Delhi High Court challenging the notification but the court has not pronounced any order on the issue.

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